Greek In-Country language program

Students who wish to study Greek have a choice of selecting the language through a Diploma of Languages, in the Bachelor of Arts, or as an elective or independent studies unit as part of other Higher Education studies at CDU.

The Greek Language and Culture Studies program at CDU is a part of the Faculty of Law Business and Arts, through the School of Creative Arts and Humanities. Associate Professor George Frazis is the coordinator of the Greek In-Country program.

The realisation of the Greek In-Country Language Program is a great opportunity for students to experience Greek culture first hand.

The program is available during July, in all three streams, including beginners, intermediate and advanced, regardless of prior knowledge of the Greek language. The program aims to immerse the student in Greek culture by daily interaction with local people.

The In-Country Program combines rigorous coursework taught by lecturers from the University of the Aegean, other Greek Educational Institutions and Charles Darwin University. The intensive course translates to a full semester of Greek for participating students.

The Greek In-Country Program may include Kalymnos and other islands, Athens, and a study trip in the northern mainland region of Macedonia.

The choice for Kalymnos in 2007 was recognition of the close relationship between the Darwin Greek community and the Island of Kalymnos, which is the essence of the Darwin Kalymnos Sister City relationship and has the support of both the Municipality of Kalymnos (the Greek community of the NT) and the NT Government.

The inclusion of Macedonia in 2009 provided a seven-day study tour of the region consisting of formal lectures hosted by the University of Thessaloniki, visits to the Byzantine and ancient sites, museums and travel to regions of interest in Macedonia such as Vergina, Pella, Kastoria and Dion. This provided students first-hand cultural experiences of the Macedonian Region of Greece, giving them an opportunity to create new links and relationships between Macedonia and the Northern Territory. This component of the program from 2009 to 2017 was proudly sponsored by the Hellenic Macedonian Association of the NT and the Northern Territory Government.

We wish our students a wonderful and enriching Greek cultural experience.

The Greek In-Country Program allows you to complete a full unit of Greek study in just three intensive weeks, an advantage for those who do not have more time to spare.

There are classes for students ranging from beginners to more advanced levels.

The approach to language varies from day to day from traditional classes, to educational visits to museums, archaeological sites and daily interaction with locals and teachers of the program. The cultural study component will include visits to a variety of locations, allowing opportunities for interaction with local contacts and exposure to contemporary life, as well as language immersion through day-to-day communications allowing understanding of the culture associated with the Greek language.

The program caters for adults (18 years of age or older), including beginners and students in their second or third year of university study of Greek language.

For non-beginners, we generally determine your level from your past history of study. We advise you to contact the coordinator of CDU's Greek program, Associate Professor George Frazis, so that he can work out your appropriate level of study.

There will also be an opportunity for your lecturers in Greece to adjust your level of study after the course begins.

The course is open to current CDU students and students of other Australian universities who are able to enrol cross-institutionally. Initially, you should complete the Application for Selection Form and submit to the School of Creative Arts and Humanities.

If approved, you will then need to formally enrol in HEL101, HEL201, HEL301, LAN211 or LAN311 through a Change of Enrolment Form, or through the relevant cross-institutional enrolment forms. Current students should finalise this process and allow sufficient time for the organising Committee to arrange for your accommodation in Greece.

All students will be asked to complete a Supplementary Details Form, which provides a checklist of the various details you must attend to, and which also gives us necessary information about your travel arrangements and next of kin in case of an emergency.

You will also sign an agreement to respect the authority of the Australian and Greek lecturers and to not engage in unacceptable behaviour which may put the welfare or learning of other students at risk.

Results

You will receive an official CDU grade on successful completion of HEL101, HEL201, HEL301, LAN211 or LAN311 and will be notified in the normal way at the end of Study Period 2.

Please take seriously the fact that this in an intensive course for which you are awarded university credit.

You must put in the same effort on Greek language that you would in a course at home.

Fortunately you can do this not only through classes and homework but also through organised excursions and your interaction with local Greek residents.

Students are responsible for having an up-to-date passport. Australians who do not yet have a passport, or need to renew their passport, can find information on how to do so at the Australian Passport Office website. It does take time to organise your passport so please action this as soon as possible.

It is a requirement of Charles Darwin University that all students taking part in an In-Country program must have health and travel insurance, including coverage for accidental injuries, hospitalisation and medical evacuation.

CDU will automatically cover all enrolled students for the duration of the course as long as you are flying directly to and from Greece as part of your travel plans. Our insurance cover cannot cover you if you arrange for any side trips prior to or after the In-Country program.

To be covered by the University's travel insurance policy, a Movement Request for Official Travel form needs to be signed and completed prior to travel by all staff and students. This form will be provided to you. The University has access to private travel insurance that can be utilised by students and the general public. The policy product is called "In-A-Suitcase" and is provided by ACE Insurance Limited. This may be a useful option, however, we also recommend that you consult other companies to compare policies to find something that best suits your personal circumstances.

It is also important that you read the detailed Health and Insurance advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Smartraveller website.

Come to Greece prepared with ample supplies of any medicines and prescriptions you take regularly. It is also your responsibility to inform us of any allergies or medical conditions that may affect your participation in the study program.

HEL101, HEL201, HEL301, LAN211 or LAN311 are accredited HECS-HELP liable units and as such you can select to pay for it upfront, or defer your fees as per any other unit of study at CDU.However, in addition to this fee, you will need to cover your own cost for travel to and from Greece.

Accommodation and meals are covered by Greek and Australian funding bodies.

Costs for the student will be confirmed on approval of application, but a student can expect to pay for their return airfares and transportation costs within Greece and spending money. Course fees, accommodation and meals will be covered by the NT Government, the Hellenic Macedonian Association of NT, Greek Community of Darwin and Friends of Modern Greek Language and Culture of Darwin.